Kentucky has played the Ohio State Buckeyes 18 times since 1933 winning 10 out of the 18 match ups, including the last two meetings in 1993 and 1996. The largest margin of victory for the Buckeyes during that time was 16 points (46-30) in 1933, and their longest winning streak was 3 from 1961 to 1968, with their last win coming in the 1987 Southeast Regional Finals 91-77.
On the Kentucky side of things, the Wildcats longest winning streak was 3 games dating from 1957 through 1959, with the largest margin of victory being 19 (95-76) in 1958 in the UKIT. Also, Kentucky has met Ohio State 5 times in NCAA tournament action losing all five times, with the last meeting being in The Southeast Regional first round in 1987 in Atlanta Georgia. The Buckeyes defeated the Wildcats by a score of 91-77 marking their last win over the Wildcats, as Kentucky went on to win the next 2 meetings. Of the 5 meetings in NCAA tournament play, Ohio State has sent the Cats packing in the first round 2 times, and the regional finals 3 times. With two of Kentucky's losses coming in the state of Kentucky, once in Louisville in 1961 (regional final) and in Lexington in 1968 (regional final).
Not a long history between the two teams, and not enough hate to cause bad blood like some rivals. But there should be some hate on the Wildcats side of things for the early exits that the Buckeyes have handed them all 5 times they have played in the tournament. Now, I know that these players weren't old enough to remember the last loss coming at the hands of the Buckeyes, but the thought of it should still be there. Not to mention, the media leading up to this game is providing enough motivation all by it's self. Just listening to the media, Kentucky shouldn't even show up to play the game. A guy I work with had a good analogy, "the media acts like this is a bye game for Ohio State". Now you know the OSU players or coaches aren't taking this game so lightly, nor is the Kentucky players or coaching staff. Both clubs no the importance of this game, and they both know the dangers of each team. But if the coverage by the media doesn't get a player fired up nothing will.
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